Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Department of Immigration is continuing to process large volumes of returnees at the country’s southern port of entry as more Zimbabweans leave South Africa amid anti-migrant protests.
Regional Immigration Officer in charge of the Southern Region, Mr Joshua Chibundu, said his team was managing the influx without disruption to normal traffic. The Southern Region covers Beitbridge, Sango, Chiredzi and Masvingo.
He said as of Tuesday, officers had handled 976 people who returned on self-repatriation while another 1 132 people arrived through Government assistance.
“Our team is equal to the task. We are seeing people arriving independently and others coming through state-assisted evacuations. In both cases, we are processing them in an orderly manner,” said Mr Chibundu.
He said all returnees are being profiled at the border to help the Government to record numbers, identify vulnerable cases and plan onward movement to home districts.
Mr Chibundu said those arriving under the State-assisted programme are being moved in a coordinated way.
This includes Malawian nationals who are transiting through Zimbabwe on their way home.
“The Embassy, the South African Government, Zimbabwe and Malawi are working together. Malawians in transit are profiled at Beitbridge and then assisted to continue their journey in an organised manner. This coordination prevents congestion and protects people along the route,” he said.
Mr Chibundu said to keep services running smoothly, the Department has deployed manpower evenly across shifts and counters at Beitbridge Border Post.
“We have ensured that manpower is deployed evenly so that normal traffic flow is not disturbed. Tourists, truck drivers and other travellers are still being cleared without unnecessary delays, while we give priority attention to the returnees,” he added.
Mr Chibundu said the department will maintain the current tempo for as long as the repartriation continues.
